The significance of the Illustration categories

As a daily reviewer I have come across, and recently even more so, tons of illustrations with misplaced or even unassigned Illustration categories. I'd like to share a few words about the significance of those categories and why it is necessary to assign them correctly.

It is required that contributors assign one of the three illustration categories to their submissions that are not photographs. Even if you do not select any additional categories, selecting the one Illustration category is a must. Why is this so important? Because if you are familiar with our search options, there is a tick to select only illustrations or to entirely leave them out of the results. If you assign the correct category for yourself, the proper options are already preselected in the back-end (ie the review area), and the image is assured to be included in the relevant results. Of course, the editors have the ability to assign or re-assign the categories if they are misplaced, but this is additional work that should really be done by the uploader...

Moving on to the differences of the illustration categories. As said above, there are three:
1) 3D & Computer generated
2) Hand drawn and artistic
3) Illustrations

Although this seems logical and easy, I frequently see these three categories mixed and matched inappropriately. The first one is for all 3D artwork (abstract or otherwise) and all mathematically generated patterns and backgrounds. This includes various solely filter-based images created in Photoshop (KPT, fractals, rendered textures). This is, by far, the most crowded of the Illustration categories. Be very selective, when you wish to upload images here. I know that it is possible to create virtually infinite number of variations of the backgrounds rendered with KPT filters alone, but this does not mean they are distinctive of the other similar images on line. If you search for _abstract digital background_ (select only illustrations) and sort by downloads descending, you'll see that only a handful out of the sheer volume of such images have actual downloads. Most popular of those abstracts are still closely connected to a theme - like Christmas or winter...

The second one was originally intended for images created artistically by hand of the artist. Paintings, drawings, artistic interpretations of common techniques. Basically this involves all manually created and scanned or photographed pieces of art. But this also includes digital creations that use a very personal or unique approach.

The third is the most general of the three, this includes all other forms and fields of non-photography. If you cannot place the image in the above two categories, then assign this one. This includes general vector artwork solely produced with the aid of a computer (ie shapes and lines drawn originally on the screen, not scanned from other media). Themes included into this category consist of but are not limited to floral borders, illustrator/corel designs, non uniform backgrounds, clip-art, etc.

I hope this clears things up a bit and helps avoid frustration when your image is rejected, because it is an illustration, but does not have the proper category assigned. This is not a rule of what will happen, but editors may choose to point it out to you in this manner, if they see you systematically submit illustrations without the required category selection.

In a word - when uploading anything other than photographs, first select one or more of the appropriate Illustration categories and then fill in the remainder with other suitable categories. This helps the Editors in a big way and speeds up the process with fewer errors and more consistent search results for the buyers...

I have experienced the rejection of the image by the reason not select ILLUSTRATION category. But the image was a photograph, not 3D render, and the fact was pointed by kewords "photo" and "photgraph".

Since I prefer to not select false category, what is the best solution for the issue?

Hi, thanx for an article.But I think in some case people may not choose a one of illustration categories, I mean when image done in 3d graphic software and looks exactly as a photo, and its hard to differ it from real photographs.Because some buyers dont know that 3d is can be as real as a photo and uncheck the box illustrations, its not fair, I think.

Selecting categories is always the most difficult aspect of uploading images. Partly because there seems to be a lack of selection (I often spend a considerable time trying to figure out the best choice only to end up guessing). I've suggested new categories many times but nothing new has been added (from what I can tell). Partly though, the difficulty comes from the fact that many categories are ambiguous. This is the FIRST TIME I've seen any category spelled out and explained. Small wonder you are frustrated that they're misused.

Perhaps your next blog should be about the demystifying of the "abstract" categories.

Thanks Kutt. Almost all of my illustrations start in pencil on paper. I ink them. Then I scan them. Then I place them in an Illustrator document and trace them. From there, I color and modify them. It seems like I'm stuck between 2 and 3. So which one do I select?

About me

I am a graphic designer, webmaster, photographer. Live in Estonia. 3 kids. Mac-person. Nikon-person.
Initially gave my images for free back in 2003. Then discovered that some people would actually be willing to pay for my random photo experiments. Found Dreamstime, had lots to say in the forums and Serban invited me into their family :)
• I am totally self taught. Through trial and error. Mostly latter :)
• What makes an ideal microstock photo? I think it is broad usability. Solely.
• I have studio experience, but am not so active lately. Mostly shoot events, family, objects. I like to use my Nikon Speedlights (900 and 800) off the camera wirelessly. Could use even more units for interesting light effects and colors (different gel filters).
• My photographic mantra: get an idea, try it out, improve. I would call this Japanese-style, I guess :P
• My favorite photography subjects - non-moving objects, architecture.
• The most important characteristic / skill needed to become a successful microstock photographer is persistence and objectivity in my opinion. Suppress your ego.
• One piece of advice for newcomers - the beginning is always slow and painful. Do not give up and do not take anything personally. Strangers looking at your images (reviewers) do not know you at all and are utterly objective - they express their first impression of your image while only comparing it to the other ones they have seen. This is usually how the browsing buyer will see your image.
• The microstock industry has changed a lot since I began as a microstock photographer. A lot of stuff seems to be available for free nowadays, but always check the source and usage terms. Many people think that the biggest free image bank in the world is Google - it could turn out to be the most expensive one, so be careful. Everyone seems to be a photographer - some are quite talented first off, others have to work their way up. Photography in general has become immensely more accessible. Veterans struggle to keep their edge.
• Being a microstock photographer has taught me not to overlook details in an image. They are often the deal makers or breakers. The more you work on details in your images (given the whole concept is salable) the more rewarding it will be in the long run.

I am a graphic designer, webmaster, photographer. Live in Estonia. 3 kids. Mac-person. Nikon-person.
Initially gave my images for free back in 2003. Then discovered that some people would actually be willing to pay for my random photo experiments. Found Dreamstime, had lots to say in the forums and Serban invited me into their family :)
• I am totally self taught. Through trial and error. Mostly latter :)
• What makes an ideal microstock photo? I think it is broad usability. Solely.
• I have studio experience, but am not so active lately. Mostly shoot events, family, object... [Read more]

Don't forget words and pictures go great together so make sure you choose some Dreamstime favorite pics to brighten your article. For inspiration, check out the hottest or the most useful blogs on the left.